Record high new funding aims to turn the tide on homelessness
Posted 01.01.25
GOV.UK: Further reading
Councils across England will receive almost £1 billion of new funding in 2025 to tackle, reduce and prevent homelessness
More resources will be available for workers on the frontline who provide essential services to get rough sleepers off the street and into secure housing, as well as seeing more homeless families out of temporary accommodation.
Councils will be better equipped to step in early to stop households becoming homeless in the first place. This includes mediation with landlords or families to prevent evictions.
Local areas can also choose to channel resources into services such as Housing First, which prioritises access to secure housing for people with histories of repeat homelessness.
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London's emergency severe weather plan activated for first time in 2025 to protect the homeless
Posted 02.01.25
Mayor of London: Further reading
The Mayor of London and London Councils have activated the pan-London Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP) for the first time this year, to protect homeless people, with temperatures forecast to fall to zero.
The SWEP activation means councils across London, alongside homelessness charities, will open additional emergency accommodation for people sleeping rough in freezing conditions that could pose a threat to life.
The joined-up approach has strengthened support for homeless people in the Capital, with all boroughs across the city committed to the 'In for Good' principle, which ensures no one is asked to leave accommodation until a support plan is in place to end their rough sleeping, regardless of an increase in temperature.
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Emergency cash tripled for rough sleepers this winter
Posted 20.01.25
GOV.UK: Further reading
The Rough Sleeping Winter Pressures Funding, a government scheme to increase the use of emergency accommodation for rough sleepers, will be tripled from £10 million to £30 million.
The cash will go directly into areas with record levels of rough sleeping, ultimately saving lives and supporting thousands of vulnerable people in society facing the cold weather.
Over 280 councils, including all London boroughs, will now have extra resources at their disposal to support frontline workers providing vital services on the ground.
The new funding will also continue supporting specialist programmes for vulnerable groups sleeping rough including veterans, care leavers and victims of domestic abuse.
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